This post includes 4 Windows 10 video editors, including the hidden Video Editor in Photos Legacy, Clipchamp recommended by Microsoft, and two third-party tools: MiniTool MovieMaker and OpenShot. These video editing software programs make it easy to edit and create videos on Windows 10.

Does Windows 10 have a video editor? Yes, Windows 10 includes a built-in Video Editor in Photos Legacy, though Microsoft has since shifted its primary video editing experience to Clipchamp. Additionally, Windows 10 supports many third-party alternatives, such as MiniTool MovieMaker and Clipchamp.

Quick video guide:

Best Windows 10 Video Editors at a Glance

  • Video Editor in Photos Legacy
  • Microsoft Clipchamp
  • MiniTool MovieMaker
  • OpenShot

Here is a concise comparison table of these Windows video editor tools:

SoftwareMicrosoft Photos LegacyMicrosoft ClipchampMiniTool MovieMakerOpenShot
PriceFreeFree + paidFree + paidFree and open source
PlatformWindows 10/11Windows, browserWindowsCross-platform
WatermarkNo watermarkNo watermarkNo watermarkNo watermark
Current statusAvailable on Win10Actively updatedActively updatedActively updated
Multi-trackNoYesYes, 9 video + 2 audio tracksYes, unlimited tracks
Transitions/EffectsBasicBasicRichRich

Photos Legacy: Windows 10 Hidden Video Editor

Windows 10 had a hidden Video Editor in the Microsoft Photos app, which works a bit like Windows Movie Maker. The built-in Video Editor has been removed from the modern Photos app and shifted to Photos Legacy.

The main interface of the Video Editor in Photos Legacy

Unlike modern timeline-based editing software, the Video Editor in Photos Legacy is a storyboard tool. It can trim and split videos, insert title cards, add text overlay, apply motion effects, and add filters to enhance videos.

Additionally, the built-in Windows 10 video editor can rotate videos, change playback speed, resize videos to 16:9, 9:16, or 4:3, remove black bars, and add background music. The tool is free to use, has no watermark, and exports videos up to 1080P.

For video editing software, it’s really simple (even basic) and really accessible - and you won’t need the best video editing computer to achieve results. https://www.techradar.com/how-to/windows-movie-maker-is-back-how-to-use-windows-10s-hidden-video-editor

Microsoft Clipchamp: The Official Windows 10 Video Editor

Microsoft Clipchamp is the official video editor for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Featuring a drag-and-drop timeline, the software is easy to use, even for beginners. The software offers essential tools and effects to empower content creators.

The main interface of Clipchamp.

The Windows 10 video editor allows you to trim, split, crop, and rotate videos, add text, apply transitions, and adjust colors to edit and enhance clips. Additionally, it offers several AI tools to simplify video creation, such as auto captions and text-to-speech for AI voiceovers.

Another outstanding feature of Microsoft Clipchamp is its wide range of templates. This is very helpful for beginners. They can start with a template to create a video easily and quickly.

While Clipchamp offers a free plan, some premium features and stock assets require a paid subscription. Overall, it is a reliable option for users who want to create videos without a steep learning curve.  

Clipchamp, the default video editing software for Windows 10 and Windows 11, is surprisingly capable for both personal and professional use. It includes all the basic tools you need to produce video projects, some fun effects, and helpful templates for social media posts.https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/clipchamp

MiniTool MovieMaker: The Easiest, Feature-Rich Windows 10 Video Editor

MiniTool MovieMaker is also one of the best Windows 10 video editors. It offers a simple, clean interface that lets novices create videos with ease. With its multi-track timeline, you can manage up to 9 video tracks and 2 audio tracks at once. This makes it easier to layer clips, add music, and apply effects without losing control.

The main interface of MiniTool MovieMaker.

The software provides all the necessary editing tools. It allows you to trim, split, crop, reverse, rotate, and flip clips with ease. You can also change playback speed to create fast-motion or slow-motion effects and fine-tune video quality by adjusting contrast, saturation, and brightness.

 In addition, the application offers a variety of creative resources, including filters, transitions, special effects, frames, text styles, and stickers, helping you make your videos more attractive and engaging.

mm-1-logo MiniTool MovieMaker
  • Split and trim videos to remove redundance.

  • Change video aspect ratio to match screen sizes.

  • Add bubble texts, bgm, transitions, and more effects.

  • Create PiP or split-screen videos by multitrack editing.

mm-img-style-1
MovieMaker by MiniTool is an inexpensive, easy-to-use video editing program. It includes a fair number of effects and gives you easy ways to join your clips, add transitions, and overlay objects and text.https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/minitool-moviemaker

OpenShot: Best Open-Source Video Editor for Windows 10

OpenShot is a free, open-source Windows 10 video editor. This software has a basic interface. It is designed to be the easiest and most user-friendly video editing software. It offers two views (simple and advanced), thus you can switch between them at any one time.

The main interface of OpenShot.

You can import a variety of file formats, including audio files, still photos, and multiple types of video codecs, including 4K, and edit these files with some basic features, including trim, cut, animation, keyframes, etc. Of course, you can remove backgrounds from your videos, invert colors, adjust brightness, add beautiful 3D animated titles and effects, and more.

OpenShot offers 5 tracks by default, but you can add more if you need. You can add any kind of media to these tracks. For instance, you can add an audio track next to a video track. Common users may feel it is a little messy, but some professional editors might like this.

The greatest feature of this free Windows 10 video editor is that it is available in many different languages and can translate online.

OpenShot is a relatively barebones video editor, even compared to free alternatives, but it’s simple to use and has enough features to entice amateur editors working on personal projects.https://www.creativebloq.com/reviews/openshot

How to Edit Videos on Windows 10

Fast Track Steps:

  1. Open a tool like Photos Legacy or MiniTool MovieMaker.
  2. Import the target video clips.
  3. Edit the clips.
  4. Export the final result.

Method 1: Use Photos Legacy

1. Open Microsoft Photos

Click the search bar, type “photos legacy”, and click Open to launch Photos Legacy. Next, go to the Video Editor tab at the top, and click New video project to start a new project and access the main interface.

2. Import video files

Click + Add to import your photos and videos from your PC and add them to the storyboard.  You can drag and drop them to a new position in the Storyboard to arrange these media files.

3. Edit your videos

  • Trim video clips: If the video clip is too long, you can select it and click Trim to trim it.
  • Apply filters and 3D effects: You can click Filters to give your video a totally new look or add 3D effects to draw attention to something in your video.
  • Add titles and motion effects: You can click Add title card to add titles or captions to your video and add some interesting panning and zooming effects that are particularly effective for still photos.
  • Select background music: Tap Background music to select a music track. The selected music will automatically adjust to the length of the video.
Photos Legacy editing interface showing how to add background music.

4. Save video

After editing video clips, you can click Finish video to export it. By default, the video is exported in 1080p. You can change the video quality to medium (720p) or low (540p). Click Export to save the video.

Method 2: MiniTool MovieMaker

1. Download and install

Download and install the Windows 10 video editor.

MiniTool MovieMakerClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

2. Import video files

Launch the software and close the promotion window to enter the main interface. Click Import Media Files to add your pictures, videos, and music files. Next, drag and drop these files to the timeline.

3. Edit videos

  • Arrange clips: You can drag and drop the media files to change their position.
  • Trim or split clips: You can split a long video into several small parts, or you can remove some wanted parts from the video by using the trim feature.
  • Apply filters: You can drag and drop a filter effect to your video or photo clips in the timeline.
  • Add text: You can add titles, end credits, as well as captions to videos to complete your story.
  • Edit music files: You can combine audio files, fade in or fade out music files, etc.
  • Add video transitions: You can apply transitions between clips to make your slideshow or movie look good and impressive. MiniTool MovieMaker offers about 100 stunning video transitions to keep your projects engaging and stylish. Tap Transition in the menu bar, select a video transition you like in the library, and drag and drop it between the clips in the timeline.
MiniTool MovieMaker interface showing how to add and edit the transition.

4. Export the video

Click Export in the upper-right corner. On the Export window, configure the save path, format, resolution, and frame rate. Finally, click Export again to begin rendering the video.

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Bottom Line

You can now choose a suitable Windows 10 video editor to create or edit videos. If you don’t like installing software, you can try the Windows 10 hidden video editor – Microsoft Photos Legacy app or Clipchamp. If you want to make a video on a timeline with some advanced features like video transitions, you had better choose MiniTool MovieMaker or OpenShot.

People Also Ask

What is the best video editor for Windows 10?
MiniTool MovieMaker, a free, no-ads, no-bundle software, is the best free video editor for Windows 10. It offers cool movie templates, so you can easily create outstanding videos with one click. Besides, the best free Windows 10 video editor offers other good features, including video transitions, animation text, and more.
How can I edit videos on my computer?
Open MiniTool MovieMaker and import your media files.
Drag and drop files to the timeline.
Arrange clips.
Add video transitions, animated text, viral effects to video.
Split or trim video as you like.
Change the brightness, contrast of videos.
Save the video.
Is there a 100% free video editor?
Yes, there are several 100% free video editors, such as Photos Legacy, OpenShot, Shotcut, and DaVinci Resolve.
Is Clipchamp included in Windows 11?
Yes, Microsoft Clipchamp is the official, pre-installed video editor included with Windows 11.
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